The Ionia County Sheriff's Office will continue to provide law enforcement coverage for the city of Portland, after the Portland City Council approved a resolution providing for a new contract for the coming year at its meeting Monday night. The current agreement between the ICSO and the city of Portland expires March 31.

Deputies from the sheriff's office help to provide coverage during unfilled shifts and gaps in coverage at the Portland Police Department due to turnover, work limitations and time-off, City Manager Tom Dempsey told council members. The sheriff's office provides about 50 to 60 hours of coverage each month, he said.

The contract calls for a deputy to conduct policing activities in the city, including vehicle patrol, foot patrol of the downtown business area and enforcement of Portland ordinances, as well as state laws.

The hourly rate for the new agreement is $39.27, an increase of $1.14 per hour, or 3 percent. Dempsey said the sheriff told him the increase is due to increased health care costs paid by the county.

Dempsey said that, while the Portland Police Department has been short an officer, a new hire should complete the field training officer program in 12 weeks.

"Hopefully he will supplement patrol, so we'll have less need to rely on the sheriff. But then there is summer vacation, and we want to be sure we have coverage," Dempsey said, adding that deputies can be scheduled as needed with one month advance notice of open shifts.

Dempsey also reported to council members that Portland Police Chief Bob Bauer plans to retire in June after more than 10 years of service to the Portland community, and that they are working on a process for hiring a new police chief.

"I'd like to acknowledge his years of service, and thank him for being an excellent police chief," Dempsey said.